Gallery Owner Offers Tips on Living the Artist's Life

The following article appeared in the Albuquerque Journal
Sunday, September 12, 2004

Albuquerque Journal

Review by Wesley Pulkka
For the Journal

Vincent van Gogh risked the security of life as an English teacher to pursue his passion for painting and develop a unique energetic style.

Jackson Pollock, who was inspired by van Gogh's passionate brushwork, risked all when he threw his canvas to the floor and poured, splashed and dripped his way to fame and fortune.

Paul Dorrell, an author and gallery owner in Kansas City, Mo., is another risk taker. Whether roaring down the road on his Harley-Davidson, trying to write the great American novel or closing a deal with an art collector, Dorrell lives a risky life.

In his largely autobiographical book, he advises artists — defined broadly as painters, writers, designers and others — to risk personal ego, treasure and comfort for the sake of a creative career.

His clearly written book advises total commitment, hard work, setting goals, willingness to adjust to market pressures and belief in your personal vision.

But there are risks not worth taking, Dorrell warns, such as drug use, alcohol abuse and wasting time playing the artist on the bar and cafe scene.

Dorrell includes chapters on his personal tribulations and practical advice on working with galleries, finding collectors and agents and using advertising.

His book guides the reader through failure and frustration on the road to success, warning of the dangers of self-pity and career remorse.

However positive he is about the artist's life, Dorrell is quick to point out how difficult success can be. He uses van Gogh and Pollock as examples of famous artists who struggled and Alfred Stieglitz and Peggy Guggenheim as gallery owners who took decades to turn a profit.

Dorrell offers readers insight into the symbiotic relationship between artists and dealers with suggestions on how to find and keep supportive dealers. Once you've landed a good local gallery, he suggests branching out to larger urban centers and to seek representation on one or both coasts to increase sales, collectors and commissions.

The book also includes tips on résumé building, artists' statements, portfolio presentation, art society membership and press relations.

For young artists he encourages a good education followed by travel; seeing the world will strengthen later creative expression. He also strongly encourages artists to visit museums and galleries to learn as much about art as possible and to stay abreast of — but not follow — trends.

The conversational tone of the book imparts a feeling of dialogue with the reader.

Living the artist's life has never been easy but Dorrell's book makes it seem possible.

"Living the Artist's Life: A Guide to Growing, Persevering and Succeeding in the Art World" by Paul Dorrell Hillstead Publishing, $23.95 Hardback, $16.95 Paperback, 174 pp.

Wes Pulkka, who has been living the artist's life, is the Journal's freelance art critic.

A Guide to Growing, Persevering, and Succeeding in the Art World